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By Heather Hammel
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Feb. 16, 2006 |
Honor society causes scheduling inequity
Jen Lee
The administration is currently investigating an incident that occurred during self-scheduling, in which some students entered the arena early and were able to get first pick for their classes.
Social studies teacher and Shield and Scroll advisor James Spellicy explained how these students came to have their green sheets early. A member of Shield and Scroll chose to violate his responsibility and gave out green sheets to his friends to go in early, Spellicy said.
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The person who pulled the green sheets early expressed remorse for his actions. I abused my position within Shield and Scroll to help my friends, admitted this member, who was suspended from Shield and Scroll on the day of self-scheduling.
Principal Paul Cheng said that though the administration agrees with the punishment, they are continuing their investigation. We feel that what (Spellicy) is doing is fine, Cheng said. Hes following the right procedure. Maintaining the integrity of Shield and Scroll is important.
According to Shield and Scroll member Albert Feng, this was the first self-scheduling incident involving Shield and Scroll of which he is aware. Ive never heard of (giving out green sheets early), he said. Its strictly prohibited, and youre punished.
Spellicy agreed that to his knowledge this has never happened before and added that the entire fault lies with the individual who did something that goes against the principles of the organization.
However, Spellicy acknowledges that more than one student on Shield and Scroll was likely involved.
We are aware that there were members of Shield and Scroll at the door when these students entered early, he said. Actions will be taken against them, too.
A member of Shield and Scroll, who requested anonymity, asked the deans to investigate the situation after finding a student entering before his/her designated time, according Spellicy.
I happened to catch a person who attempted to sneak by the door to self-schedule earlier than their RAP, said the Shield and Scroll member who reported the incident.
Other Shield and Scroll members also reported to this member that students were sneaking by the doors holding green sheets before their RAPs.
Another Shield and Scroll member said that he noticed some peculiarities at the time, but was unsure whether anything against the rules actually happened because he missed the entrance of the first RAP. There seemed to be a lot of (peer mentor coaches), and some people came in a little later so we thought that some people might not actually be on peer mentoring, said the member, who also asked to remain anonymous.
Students entering the arena early told the people manning the doors that they were peer mentor coaches, according to the Shield and Scroll member.
Peer mentor coaches picked their classes during the first rap this semester in order to fit the required leadership course into their schedules and because first pick was promised in their agreement, according to peer mentor coach Briana Feigon. In the future, peer mentor coaches will not be receiving first pick, according to Feigon.
Feigon said she does not understand how people got into the arena by saying they were peer mentor coaches, as the peer mentor leaders pulled the green sheets of the real peer mentor coaches. The people in control were aware that there were only 20 of us, and they had a list of the names, she said.
Wellness Center coordinator Alicia Rozum gave administrators a list of students permitted to pick earlier. I was surprised when I spoke to a Shield and Scroll representative saying there were others, she said. Unless the green sheets were pulled, there was no reason for other people to get first pick.
The Shield and Scroll member who reported the incident said that at the time I didnt know exactly who was pulling the green sheets early
but I suspected it might have been a Shield and Scroll worker or someone stationed in the auditorium because they had access to green sheets.
Spellicy said he is worried that this incident will hurt Shield and Scrolls reputation. I think the majority of the students made every effort to abide by the rules, he said.
According to Spellicy, the students that are found to have received their green sheets early will probably be required to do some sort of school or community service rather than being removed from their classes. The deans and the principal are making a concerted effort to find the students who entered early to the detriment of the students who legitimately entered, he said.
The violators hurt students who wait their fair turn and dont get the classes they want because someone has scammed the system, Spellicy said.
English teacher Liz Rogers said this incident was a completely dishonorable act, no question about it. The student deserved to be removed from Shield and Scroll.
The ex-Shield and Scroll member said that he regrets taking away from the integrity of self-scheduling and from other students who didnt get their classes. It took away from the average Lowell student.
The member who reported the incident said that he had a duty to Shield and Scroll and that the members of the society had a duty to the school to keep self-scheduling as fair as possible. "Academic honesty is very important, and I couldnt go against my conscience by letting this incident go by, he said. |
